Chris Helme & Band Plus Support
Chris Helme brings his Full Band Show to The Church Venue!
Former frontman of The Seahorses and The Yards co-founder Chris Helme has a special announcement: this November, he’s bringing a full band to The Church in Kidderminster for a rare, career-spanning show.
Drawing on three decades of music — Seahorses classics, deep cuts from The Yards, solo material, and brand new songs written with this same lineup — the gig marks a rare full-band outing for Helme, who typically performs solo or in stripped-back formats. The band has reportedly been coming together quietly behind the scenes for some time, making this one of the most anticipated dates on his calendar.
“I’ve spent most of the last twenty years touring alone, and there’s an ease to it — no one to keep pace with, no guilt about vanishing into a book or a film for a few hours. I got used to that life.
Then, eighteen months ago, a hand operation took the guitar out of my hands. Simon Snaize stepped in to cover the gigs, and I realised something: I’d been spending far too much time on my own, and playing with another human was something I surprisingly missed. After a while I decided to build a band around us.
I’d be reticent to release an album that’s just me — and honestly, that’s reason enough.
Brad Blackwell on bass and double bass. Matt Rheeston on drums. Simon Snaize on lead guitar and vocals. And the newest addition, Rob Hughes, on percussion, backing vocals, and whatever else he throws in. Every one of them is exceptional. Playing alongside them is a genuine joy.
We’re deep in rehearsals, still finding our shape, but the set will pull from thirty years of songs — Seahorses, The Yards, solo stuff, maybe a cover or two. Same songs, different twist. We’re human, not robots.
First proper show as a full band: The Church, Kidderminster. Can’t think of a better place to christen it. Hope the night will be as special to you as it will be to us”
Supported By;
Andy Bennett: is best known as a songwriter, guitarist and backing singer with Ocean Colour Scene. Andy joined the band in 2004 as guitarist and backing singer and spent more than a decade touring and recording with them, performing on stages across the world.
This is a rare chance to catch an artist of his calibre in such an intimate room, so it's well worth securing your ticket early.
During his time with Ocean Colour Scene, Andy appeared on several of the band's albums and live releases, including A Hyperactive Workout for the Flying Squad, On the Leyline and Saturday. He also co-wrote Old Pair of Jeans, which featured on the band's 2010 album Saturday.
His first show with the band took place at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, the perfect beginning to an eleven year run with one of Britain's most respected guitar bands.
Before joining Ocean Colour Scene, Andy had already built a strong reputation on the Midlands music scene with his band The Elements, earning a loyal following and supporting Ocean Colour Scene at shows around the region.
Since leaving the band in 2015, Andy has focused on his own songwriting and solo career. His 2016 debut solo album Thinkin', Drinkin', Singin' showcased his gift for melody and his love of classic British guitar music, with standout tracks including Fool No More, Hole in the Road and Baby Blue.
Orange River Remedy: write, record, and perform music often steeped in 60’s and 70’s reminiscence, bringing powerful riffs, four-part harmonies and psychedelia into the wonderful modern era. The band members are all hugely talented at their craft, drawing on an extensive range of musical experience, influences, and styles, unusual for what is essentially a young band, paying homage to the likes of Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Elvis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors.
Whilst putting their own slant on hits loved by many, as talented song writers, the band perfom a range of their own material, which they describe as the lovechild of John Fogerty and Grace Slick, with Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, Neil Young and Etta James as the grandparents. Quite a family!!!
On stage, their passion and love of music and each other shines through, drawing in their audience with a wide range of rock, soul, and blues numbers, both past and present! Be prepared to be transported across decades of influence and geography through a wonderful mix of favourites and self-penned material.
